Being due December 9th with my first child, I feel I am in a million ways unprepared (i.e. do I have enough diapers, bottles, etc). However as much as I worry about these things my biggest worry is once I go into labor, I imagine I am just going to have to get up and go and I worry I won't be prepared for that. For as many people who have asked me if I have a hospital bag ready, no one has really told me what I should have in there! What should I bring?I know the hospital provides certain necessities (what even those are I am not sure), so I do not want to bring too much, but I also worry about not bringing enough, or bringing all the things the hospital provides and none of the other stuff I really do need. Some mommy advice would be appreciated!  

I WAY overpacked.  Don't bring any nightgowns.  They will just get ruined.  Use the hospital ones.  They're comfortable and you can put an extra one on backwards to walk around.  Take socks and slippers.  You may want to walk around.  They were also the only thing I could fit my feet into after I had my baby.  Take some sour candy to keep your mouth from getting really dry since they won't give you anything to drink.  Take your own small bottles of shampoo and lotion.  The hospital ones are pretty gross.  Take your own pillows.  They are a great comfort and you'll need all you can get.  Don't pack an extra outfit to go home in.  You'll still need maternity clothes for a few weeks.  I had an extra outfit but just wore what I went to the hospital in.  Lip balm is a must.  Pack some snacks and a change of clothes for husband/boyfriend.  Camera, film, phone, list o' people to call afterwards, nursing bra if you are going to do so.

 For the baby, you just need an outfit to go home in.  You may also need to put it on when they take the picture to put on the website.  I also put one on the baby and sent ot home for the dog and cats to sniff before we got home.  You may need extra wipes.  The hospital I delivered at only gave you one small pack and wouldn't give you more.  Not a problem unless you end up with a c-section and longer hospital stay.  Don't forget the car seat.

 Most importantly, don't stress about it, if you forget it, someone will be happy to get it for you.

Jan is so right!! Dont stress out about it. Use your common sence about it. As Jan said they wont let you drink(especialy if you have an epidural because it will make you sick!!)or eat anything once your in the delivery room. The hospital is suppose to supply you with everything that you need.... My hospital gave me two packs of diapers and wipes to take home as well as a case of infant formula premixed to take as well. I gues it depends on the hospital on what you get. You may want to check up on it. Bring something to read or maybe a word puzzle incase nothing is good on tv. Check with you hospital to see if they have a dvd library (mine does), that helps to pass time. Slippers, socks ......OH!!! do not bring any of your jewlery cause they make you take it off and it might get lost!!!! And most importantly when the time comes dont get scared and rush cause you will know what to do and when to leave. Its all mothers instinct!! I went into labor a whole day before i said anything to any one(with my second child) cause i knew that the contractions were too far apart to even worry about leaving cause they might send you home if they think your not dialated enough. Car seat is always a must.... and I think you will have everything under contol when the time comes. Good luck!!

 

and bring atleast one pad/kotex or whatever you want to call them to use when you leave the hospital the ones they have you use while there are huge and not the most comfy things. oh and tooth paste and a tooth brush, it felt sooo good just to be able to brush my teeth when i woke up after the labor. i wish i would of taken my own pillow with me i had to use a few of the ones they had because they were really flat and i still had trouble sleeping. one thing i screwed up on was taking a sleeping gown for the baby then realizing the outfit needed to have seperated legs so he could be buckled into the car seat, i just made sure my husband brought a different outfit for him when he came back to the hospital (i sent him home to sleep).

Also, be sure to pre-register with your hospital so there's less paperwork to fill out when you get there.  And, if you still have time, take a tour of the maternity ward.  They'll let you know if there's anything significant that they do or don't provide.  Good luck!  Let us know how things go.

I totally agree with all of the above advice.  Another thing to think about is who you want visting you in the room while in labor.  Today, a lot hospitals will allow anyone in until you are actually delivering unless you tell them otherwise.  For me, I was uncomfortable when unexpected vistors showed up and walked into the room and then the doctor came in a few minutes later to examine.  I had to ask them to leave and then tell the nurses who I wanted to enter the room without my advanced knowledge.  It wasn't that I really minded the individuals visiting, it was that they had been told (by my husband not to come) and then were allowed to walk in.  It caused unnecessary stress and had I informed the nurses ahead of time what my preference was, we could have arranged for them to visit at a more optimal time.  It is just good to think about your preferences ahead of time.

first and foremost dont forget your support person you dont realize how much you need them till you get there. I just had my baby sept.6th of this year. Take some tube socks and put rice and lavendar in them and then heat them in the microwave when you get there it helps with the labor pain. and If they have a birthball use that. but anyways this is what i packed that was useful.

•  music
• baby clothes
• rice socks
• really warm socks  and a couple pairs ofthem
• jolly rancher lolly pops (you arent allowed to eat but they will let you suck on these and if you get nauseated they help to get rid of the taste.)
• A big cup (all they have is tiny styrofoam cups )
• A nursing bra
• any kind of massager type thing that you like to use at home
• a pillow from home (much more comfy then thiers
• a swimsuit for you hubby/Support person if you wannna take a shower.

Everyone has pretty much mentioned everything. Definetely dont forget your camera and some extra film!! With my older son I forgot the camera and my boyfriend had to run next door and pic up a disposable one. And definetely bring extra socks. After they broke my water I went thru 2 pairs! Also a cute outfit for the hospital pic. You can also bring a blanket for the background of the pic. With all my kids they had the same background (the different colored splotchy background) So when I had Jacob I brought a blanket to use instead.

Hope everything goes ok!!

Everyone gave such great advice! This is my seventh baby and I never thought to bring my own pillow - brilliant! I always pack my journal so I can record the event while it's still fresh in my head. My husband names all our babies and never settles on a name until the baby comes, so we always bring a baby book of names. I think the biggest thing for me is passing the time between getting the epidural and the delivery, when I'm stuck in bed and waiting anxiously. Sometimes we bring a video, I need something good enough to distract me. I get pretty impatient at this point cause I'm so excited! Good Luck with everything and let us know how it goes!

I had two C-Sections in two different hospitals, so for me, everything was planned. Still, you need to check with your hospital. For me, the hospital gave me more than enough diapers and wipes for the baby and when I ran out, they brought more, pads for me, clothes for me. The hospital I had my daughter in, though, is a nationally ranked and recognized medical trauma center, so they are far more equipped and prepared than most others. In terms of what you actually have to bring, the list is getting smaller as the hospitals become better equipped. My hospital had phone, tv and internet all bedside. We didn't have any pictures of our children taken in the hospital (plus, you had to pay for them if you wanted them), so we didn't worry too much about clothes - just one outfit for them to go home in. Definitely, you need the carseat and a person to drive you home, since you won't be allowed to drive. Before you leave the hospital, take whatever is on the baby tray (they let you anyway), so you get extra diapers, wipes, pre-made bottles and stretchies. The hospital should give you a little gift bag to start you off with stuff for the babe.

 You may want your cell phone though. You're allowed to use them in your rooms. The pillow is a must (I brought one both times).  If you have a C-Section, the first time you stand up after the catheter comes out, you bleed all over the place. I ruined my first pair of slippers and everything else that way. Oh, and definitely shower stuff (if you can manage to shave, you'll want that stuff too). Don't forget deodorant or lip stuff. If you can fit them, you may want your own towels and some food. Luckily, the first hospital I went to had amazing food for the maternity ward, but you had to pay for dad's meal. The 2nd hospital I was in had dad's meals for free, but the food was eh.

Also, around here, you HAVE to pre-register and now we do it online without having to go to the hospital at all. I didn't tour the materntiy wards for either kids. I figured why bother? Once I'm there, I can find whatever I need, if I can even move around at all. Good luck to you. Besides, whatever you forget, you can send people out for. Just don't forget your cameras that first day.